THE voice of the Tube has spoken of her devastation, after her iconic announcements were replaced with AI.

Elinor Hamilton, 46, whose recordings have been used on the London Underground for over 20 years, said the birth of the technology was ruining the capital’s vibrant culture.

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Elinor Hamilton first supplied the recordings in 2005[/caption]

Alamy

Transport for London confirmed an AI voice had been implemented at Colindale station[/caption]

Transport for London (TfL) confirmed last week that it had implemented AI for tannoy announcements at Colindale station on the Northern Line.

Bosses admitted they were using a “text-to-speech voice provided by Zentiel”, in response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request submitted by the Metro.

This was brought in amid a redevelopment of the station – set to be completed later this year.

TfL has clarified that Elinor’s voice will return to Colindale once the project has finished.

Elinor told the Metro: “It makes me quite sad they are using an AI voice.

“To use computer voices almost takes away the job of travelling in London. It brings me joy to think these are people.

“It is the difference between going down a nice cobbled high street and going to a retail park outside a city”

The voiceover artist added that advancements in AI would eventually “chip away” at the “fabric of London” – and that society would only notice once it was too late.

Elinor’s soundbites were first recorded in 2005 for the Northern, Jubilee and Piccadilly lines – but later adopted across Tube stations in London.

She has also supplied similar recordings for other stations and rail operators across the UK – including South Western Railway.

Remarkably, somebody else in Elinor’s family also had the same niche job.

Her late husband, Phil Sayer, was the voice behind the famous “Mind the Gap” message heard across Underground stations.

After landing the quirky job, radio presenter Phil recommended his wife Elinor for station announcements.

Despite his death in 2016, Phil’s voice continues to be used by TfL.

However, Elinor admitted she was terrified her beloved husband’s voice might one day be axed.

The mum-of-two said she still liked to record Phil’s announcements whenever she heard them – to show her sons that he was “still around”.

She added that she would “kick off” if they were ever removed.

In the FOI response, a TfL spokesman said: “Once the station re-opens fully in late 2025, the regular station management system and London Underground station voice announcements will be used.

“No decision has been taken yet on the permanent female voice we intend to use on the refurbished Bakerloo and Central line trains.”

The Sun has contacted TfL for further comment.

Rex

AN EXTREME eater and TikTok star known for sharing videos of himself over-eating has died after struggling to breathe or stand.

Efecan Kultur, 24, had over 155,000 followers on TikTok and was well known as a mukbang streamer.

Newsflash

Newsflash

Kultur was an extreme eater and Tiktok star known for his mukbang videos[/caption]

Mukbang is an online phenomenon where people watch, record and stream themselves scoffing super-sized quantities of food online.

Kultur shared videos of himself eating with his followers, while he chatted to them.

Kultur was hospitalised in December 2024 due to health problems as a result of his weight.

The 24-year-old could no longer stand up and suffered breathing problems.

He also suffered constant bruising which triggered mobility issues.

Bedridden and unable to breathe without a machine, Kultur was reportedly unable to visit his mum’s grave following her death a year ago.

Kultur was allowed to continue his treatment at home, where he passed away.

His funeral was held at the Celaliye Mosque in Istanbul province.

His body was buried in the Silivri Gumusyaka Cemetery.

Extreme eater, Pan Xiaoting, died last July after her stomach tore while live streaming a 10-hour-long food binge.

Xiaoting was known for broadcasting her marathon eating challenges, often eating for hours at a time.

According to the post-mortem examination, her abdomen was visibly deformed and her stomach was full of undigested food.

This indicated that her stomach could have burst, causing stomach acid and food to leak into her abdomen, the Mail reported at the time.

Newsflash

Newsflash

Kultur died at home where he was continuing his treatment[/caption]

SHARON Watts is back to her furious best in today’s EastEnders as she flies at Nicola Mitchell in a vicious brawl.

The businesswoman – who is played by actress Letitia Dean in the BBC soap – was horrified when she discovered her brother Zack Hudson had been brutally beaten by Nicola’s hired thugs.

BBC

Viewers know that Zack recently discovered he is the biological father of Nicola’s youngest son Barney.

And while he’s been determined to be a part of his son’s life, Nicola has been determined to keep it a secret.

In last night’s episode she lured Zack to the club and watched as he was brutally beaten, warning him to stay away.

She has also used her knowledge that Sharon cheated on Teddy with Grant Mitchell, to keep everything quiet.

But having seen the state of Zack and knowing the truth, Sharon decided to confront Nicola – and lamped her one in Harry’s Den.

“Apparently he got into a bit of trouble last night,” Nicola said to Teddy and her boys.

“Knowing him he probably got shacked up with the wrong bloke’s bird.”

Teddy wished him the best and Nicola said he better be or he’d be out of a job, just in time for Sharon to walk in.

“Oi,” she said as Nicola cockily replied: “Fancy some bubbles babe?”

Punching her across the jaw, Sharon sent Nicola flying before warning her: “You don’t scare me.

“Now you stay away from my brother or you’ll have me to deal with, do you understand?

“Consider yourself warned. Got it?”

Sharon was carried out by her brother, while Teddy demanded to know the truth.

But later things took a worse turn for both women when Barney exposed Sharon’s actions with Grant, ultimately laying the groundwork for his whole life being exposed as a lie.

IT’S a gruesome cold case that has left cops baffled for nearly three decades.

Kate Bushell, 14, went missing while walking her neighbour’s dog and was later found dead – but her killer has never been caught.

PA

Kate Bushell was killed in 1997 but her murderer was never found[/caption]

SWNS

The 14-year-old was out walking her neighbour’s dog when she was brutally killed[/caption]

The secondary school student suffered a savage knife wound to her throat on November 15 1997.

Her body was tragically discovered by her father in a field off of Exwick Lane – just 300 yards from her home in Burrator Drive, Exeter.

The schoolgirl’s murder prompted one of the largest and longest-running unsolved murder inquiries by Devon and Cornwall Police.

Despite many high-profile media and public appeals, her killer has never been found.

More than 160 detectives and staff were initially deployed to the case in 1997.

Over 5,000 house-to-house interviews were conducted and a similar number of DNA samples were taken.

Three suspects were then interviewed and released without charge.

Kate, a pupil at St Thomas High School, was last seen alive at 4.50pm by a lay-by towards the Whitestone Cross end of Exwick Lane.

Detectives narrowed down potential leads to the sightings of a blue car and two unidentified men. 

Witnesses remember seeing her with Jack Russell Gemma but also spotted a small blue car parked in the nearby stables lay-by and a man stood by it.

Just five minutes later, a young couple drove the same route and saw the blue car unattended.

However, they did not see Kate or anyone else in the lane.

Despite police working for years on the investigation, neither the car nor the man have ever been identified.

Around 2,000 blue vehicles have been traced and eliminated from the enquiry over the years.

The man is described as white, aged between 30 and 40, of average build and height, clean shaven with dark collar length hair.

Several witnesses say they also saw a man running near the area.

Two people claimed to have seen a man running down the field behind Normans from the direction of the murder scene between 5.10pm and 5.40pm.

Meanwhile, other witnesses said they saw a man running wildly from the corner of the field in the Farm Hill/Cornflower Hill area of Exwick that evening.

The man in the car and the man running have never been traced despite renewed appeals by cops over the years.

Devon and Cornwall Police

Cops at the scene of the murder[/caption]

PA:Press Association

Devon and Cornwall Police

Exwick Lane in 1997 when Kate was murdered[/caption]

MURDER CLUES

These lines of inquiry remain key to the investigation along with tracing the source of orange fibres found at the scene, police say.

More than 100 orange clothing fibres were found on Kate’s body and one on a nearby country stile.

The orange fibres were from a bright orange azoic-dyed cotton material.

This is predominately used in non-florescent workwear such as boiler suits, aprons and gloves.

In 2017 a new appeal was made to coincide with the 20th anniversary of Kate’s killing.

It generated 204 calls and messages into the incident room, sparking 10 new lines of enquiry.

The actual weapon used to murder the 14-year-old has never been found but a post mortem found she was killed by a blade at least six inches long.

However, cops remain convinced that Kate’s killer has local connections due to the isolated location of the murder.

Detectives are still looking for that vital piece of information to unlock the puzzle which shocked the city nearly 30 years ago.

The field where Kate’s body was found was mainly used as a cut-through to Nadderwater and Whitestone, and was used by local dog walkers.

“The murder location has huge significance because it is not common to anyone from outside of the area,” said Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Rob Back.

“We believe that the killer may have lived locally or had links to friends and family members there.

“Kate’s body was found in a field which leads to Kinnerton Way and she would have gone down a country path and across two stiles to get there.”

Kate’s best friend Nicky Johns previously told The Sun about the horror case.

The pair were “inseparable” and had been best friends from the age of nine.

Nicky last saw Kate on what she described as a “normal Friday at school” where they waved goodbye to each other on the way home.

There isn’t a day that goes past where my family and I don’t think of her, what life would be like if she hadn’t been taken from us”

Kate's brother Tim Bushell

But she was later told the tragic news that Kate had been murdered just down the road.

She said in 2017: “Hearing the news, I felt completely numb. My brother cried, but I didn’t shed a tear. I just couldn’t believe what had happened.

“The pain was unbearable – it felt I’d lost part of myself.

“I think the hardest thing is knowing this person hasn’t been caught, they’re not paying for what they did.

“I pray somebody can remember something and can come forward with information.”

Collect

Kate and best pal Nicky Johns would spend most of their time together[/caption]

PA:Press Association

Kate’s family and Devon and Cornwall Police issued a renewed appeal for information on November 14, 2022.

Her brother Tim Bushell, who was almost 16 at the time of her murder, also called on anyone who was still withholding information to look to their conscience and speak out.

He said: “Twenty five years ago my 14-year-old sister Kate was taken from my family and me when she was murdered near our home whilst walking a friend’s dog.

“There isn’t a day that goes past where my family and I don’t think of her, what life would be like if she hadn’t been taken from us, what she would have achieved, and all the family milestones that we have been unable to include her in.”

LINKED CASE

The case Kate’s murder is usually linked to is to the murder of Linda ‘Lyn’ Bryant in Cornwall 11 months later.

The 40-year-old’s death in a field bore many of the same hallmarks as Kate’s. She too was found stabbed in brutal fashion near to her home.

Both cases have been the subject of investigative reviews in recent years with the investigation to find Kate’s killer called Operation Deakin.

The possible links between Kate and Lyn’s murders were noted on Crimewatch in November 1998.

In 2018, detectives working on Lyn’s case said they had isolated a partial DNA profile of her killer that could help solve her brutal murder.

Since then officers have been retaking DNA samples from people across the UK to check them against the partial profile.

But her case, like Kate’s, remains unresolved.

A £20,000 reward was last offered by Crimestoppers for information which leads to the arrest and conviction of Kate’s killer.

In its latest update on Kate, Devon and Cornwall Police said they remain committed to finding her killer.

A spokesperson for the force said: “The investigation into the murder of Kate Bushell remains open and any information received will be assessed and investigated accordingly.

“We continue to work on any intelligence that is reported to us and we are thankful for the information provided to us as a result of previous anniversary appeals.

“We remain convinced that somebody knows or suspects who is responsible for Kate’s death.”

PA

Lyn Bryant was murdered 11 months after Kate[/caption]

Collect

Kate with her friend Nicky Johns[/caption]

A clip went viral on social media.

It’s Cheltenham Day 2, otherwise known as Ladies Day! As racegoers arrive in their best attire, the grandstands are packed, ready for another thrilling day of racing. So grab your drinks, place your bets, and explore the racecourse. You are ready for nonstop action, including the Coral Cup and the Champion Chase!

We have put together this guide to help you get the most out of your Cheltenham Day 2 betting experience! Keep reading for everything you need to know, from the best brand for Cheltenham free bets, signing up, placing your bets, key races to focus on, how to watch along live from home and on the go, and plenty more! 

Top Day 2 Free Bets for Cheltenham Festival 2025

1. Betway – Get a £30 Matched Free Bet
2. Copybet – Bet 20 Get 60
3. Spreadex – Bet £10 Get £40
4. Ladbrokes – Bet £5 Get £20
5. William Hill – Bet £10 Get £30
6. Betfred – Bet £10 Get £50
7. Tote – Bet £10 Get £40
8. SBK – New Customer Offer
9. Fitzdares – Bet £50 Get £25
10. Netbet – Bet £10 Get £10
11. Coral – Bet £5 Get £20
12. Priced up – Bet £40 Get £20 Free Bets

18+ Gambling Can Be Addictive. Please Play Responsibly. Registration Required GambleAware GamStop Gambling Commission.

DISCLAIMER: All the offers displayed in this article are correct as of the day of publishing and are subject to change without notice. The terms and conditions for offers are displayed at the bottom of the page.

Guide to Claiming Cheltenham Day 2 Free Bets

Ready for another day full of racing and want to claim some free bets to use too? Check out our step-by-step guide below to get yourself signed up and ready to go before the action!

1. Check out the Cheltenham Day 2 betting offers above and find the best one for you!
2. Once you are happy, click the link to the betting site and navigate to the sign-up page.
3. Enter your details to complete the registration process, including your full name, email address, date of birth and phone number.
4. Complete any verification checks sent to your email address.
5. Create your own unique login details for the website, such as a username and password.
6. Once you are all set up and ready to go, sign in to your account and enter a promo code when prompted if you have one.
7. Now, head to the deposit section of your account and load some funds.
8. Explore the Cheltenham Day 2 odds, making selections and adding them to your bet slip.
9. Confirm and place your bets and wait for them to settle to see if you have won!

Cheltenham Day 2 2025: Race Schedule

Cheltenham Day 2 features seven more exciting races, including the Champion Chase at 16:00, to entertain the packed grandstands. For a rundown of the day, check out the schedule below.

Day 2: Style Wednesday (Ladies Day) – Wednesday 12th March

• 13:20 – The Turners Novices’ Hurdle Race (Grade 1)
• 14:00 – The Brown Advisory Novices’ Steeple Chase (Grade 1)
• 14:40 – The Coral Cup Hurdle (A Handicap Hurdle Race) (Premier Handicap)
• 15:20 – The Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeple Chase
• 16:00 – The BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase (Grade 1)
• 16:40 – The Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Steeple Chase Challenge Cup (Premier Handicap)
• 17:20 – The Weatherbys Champion Bumper (A Standard Open NH Flat Race) (Grade 1)

For more information on the key dates, times and races for the Cheltenham Festival 2025, click here. 

Feature Races on Cheltenham Day 2

Some key races are taking place on Wednesday, and punters at the festival can take advantage of their Cheltenham Day 2 betting offers.

The Turners Novices’ Hurdle Race (Grade 1)

The one that opens on the festival’s second day is a must-not-miss! It is full of future stars and is one of the strongest of the four novice hurdles over the four days. It was won by big names who went on to be champions in the Gold Cup, such as Lord Windermere and Minella Indo, who finished second in the Novice Hurdle. It also saw many of its runners and winners featured in the Champion Chase the following year!

The Coral Cup Hurdle (A Handicap Hurdle Race) (Premier Handicap)

A huge betting feature of the festival is the Coral Cup. One of the most competitive handicaps of the whole festival, it has a maximum field of 26 and sees some of the most fierce competition. Going for history this year is the family partnership of Dan Skelton and Harry Skelton, looking for a third successive Coral Cup victory with Langer Dan. Already becoming the first horse to win the event twice, a third would bring a huge roar from the crowd and the camp.

The BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase (Grade 1)

The main race of the day taking place at 16:00, the Champion Chase sees a mix of accuracy and speed to make it across the line first, having cleared over 2 miles of obstacles. It is another brilliant battle of the British and Irish trainers, as Henry De Bromhead and Willie Mullins look to continue the Irish domination after securing the top 3 finishers since 2021. It is expected to be one of the best editions yet in 2025, with Mullins’s two-time champion, Energumene, looking to be back for more glory.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Cheltenham Free Bets

We have offered some tips below to help you get the most out of your Cheltenham Day two free bets! 

Check out the Favourites – it can be valuable to research the favourites the bookies highlighted before the race. This can help you easily identify the runners that are predicted to do well in a race and even help you find underdogs or valuable odds should any of the well-researched favourites slip up. 

Spread your bets – It is also worthwhile to split your free bets across several races. Putting all your free bets together on one bet means that once that race has been run, you have not invested anything in another. Spreading your Cheltenham Day 2 free bets across more than one race makes for more anticipation and excitement throughout the day and gives more potential chances of success of one of your bets winning!

Research horses, trainers, and jockeys—Look at the horses entered into the race(s) you want to place your Cheltenham Day 2 bets on and do some research. Look at any results leading up to the race and how they have run. Also, watch for any recognised and successful trainers and whether they have any runners. Looking at the trainer and jockey partnerships to identify potential champions can also be beneficial.

One of the most important things to remember when claiming Cheltenham free bets, no matter what day of the event, is to use a reliable and trustworthy betting site. If you can’t decide which site to choose, we have detailed and comprehensive reviews of the best UK bookmakers here. 

Cheltenham Festival 2025 Live Streaming Options

Keen horse racing fans and bettors can enjoy the festival from the comfort of their own homes or out and about, thanks to the Cheltenham live streams on offer. 

To watch along on TV live and for free, ITV shows six of the seven races daily. This includes build-up and post-race coverage that is also streamed live on the website and can be watched on the ITVX app. This enables viewers to take the action with them on the go and access it from wherever they are! There is also RacingTV, which shows all seven races daily, and extended coverage on TV channels and online.

There is also the option to watch the action via Cheltenham live streams available at the best Cheltenham bookmakers. To access these and more, simply sign up for an account with one of the sites and make a deposit into your account. Some may also require you to place a bet on the race you wish to watch or the day of the festival.

Responsible Gambling

When betting on big events such as the Cheltenham Festival, you must ensure that your betting experience remains fun and enjoyable and that you practice responsible gambling wherever possible. This involves setting yourself spending limits and a strict budget that you will stick to. Avoid chasing losses, and keep track of your time gambling. 

To assist you with this, there are plenty of responsible gambling tools available at betting sites, including deposit limits, time limits and self-exclusion tools, should you feel you could benefit from them. If you would like more information and support regarding your online gambling habits, there are various helplines you can reach out to, such as GamCare and GambleAware, which can be contacted through the betting site you are using.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Free Bets Are Available for Cheltenham Day 2?

The best Cheltenham offers for day 2 come from Betway, Copybet, Spreadex and Ladbrokes. Check out the links above to get the best Cheltenham Day 2 deals.

Are Cheltenham Day 2 Free Bets Different from Other Days?

The Cheltenham Day 2 free bets available will vary from other days but will still enable you to place bets at no extra cost!

Are Day 2 Free Bets Redeemable on any Race?

Your Cheltenham day two free bets can be used on any of the races taking place on Wednesday!

My Day 2 Free Bet Lost, What Happens Now?

Depending upon the terms and conditions of your Cheltenham day two free bets, if your free bet loses, you can either receive this back as another to use again or simply just lose your bet at no extra cost to you.

I’m an Existing Customer. Can I Claim Cheltenham Day 2 Free Bets?

There are plenty of opportunities for customers to claim free bets on day 2 of Cheltenham. However, these specific offers are exclusively for new customers.

Offer Terms and Conditions:

Betway – New UK customers only. Min Stake: £5. Maximum Free Bet: £30. First bet on a Football, Horse Racing, Tennis, Cricket or Basketball multiple with 3+ selections. Overall odds: 3.00 (2/1) or higher. Free Bets available upon settlement of the qualifying bet. 100 Free Spins on More Unusual Suspects (£0.10 per spin) credited on settlement of qualifying Acca bet. No wagering requirements on free spin winnings. Debit Card deposit only (exclusions apply). This offer is valid 7 days from the new account being registered. 18+ GambleAware.org. Bet the Responsible Way. Full Terms apply

Copybet – Full T&Cs apply. New UK customers only. The qualifying bet should be either a Single or Acca (2+ selections) bet, start at £20, have 1.9 or greater odds and must be settled within 7 days of opt-in. 3 Free bets include: 1 x £20 Free bet Racing (Horse Racing or Greyhound Racing); 1 x £20 Free Bet Live Football; 1 x £20 Free Bet Live. Max payout – £500. 7-day expiry. To unlock the offer, complete the first deposit via the banking app (Open banking). 18+. GambleAware

Spreadex – Spread betting losses can exceed deposit. 18+ http://www.gambleaware.org. Place a £10 fixed odds bet at minimum odds of 1/2 and get 2 x £10 free fixed odds bets, 4 x £5 free spread bets + £1 Race Index spread bet.

William Hill – 18+. Play Safe. From 00:01 on 18.10.2022. £30 bonus. New customers only. Minimum £10 stake on odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on sportsbook (excluding Virtual markets). Further terms apply. #ad

Betfred – New customers only. Register (excl 05/04/25), deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility exclusions & T&Cs Apply. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply.

Ladbrokes – 18+. UK & ROI. New customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excluded. Min 1st £/€5 deposit. Bet £/€5 at 1/2+ odds withing 14 days of registration & get 1 x £/€5 Bet Builder, 1 x £/€5 Cheltenham Ante-Post & 4 x £/€5 Free Bets (selected sportsbook markets, valid 7 days, stake not returned0. Restrictions and T&Cs apply.

Tote – New customers only, aged 18+. Min deposit £10. Place a £50 bet on any sport at at odds of Evens (2.0) or greater to qualify for three free bets on settlement: £10 on Football, £10 on Greyhounds and £5 on Virtual Sports, plus 10 Free Spins on Reel King. Free Bet & Spins expire in 7 days. Additional T&Cs apply. Please bet responsibly.

Fitzdares – New customers only, aged 18+. Min deposit £10. Place a £50 bet on any sport at at odds of Evens (2.0) or greater to qualify for three free bets on settlement: £10 on Football, £10 on Greyhounds and £5 on Virtual Sports, plus 10 Free Spins on Reel King. Free Bet & Spins expire in 7 days. Additional T&Cs apply. Please bet responsibly.

Netbet – New players only. Bet £10 min. odds 1/1 (2.00). No cash-out. Free Bet available on Bet Builder. 25 Free Spins on Big Bass Splash, each valued at 10p without wagering requirement. Terms apply.

Coral – 18+. UK & ROI. New customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excluded. Min 1st £/€5 deposit. Bet £/€5 at 1/2+ odds withing 14 days of registration & get 1 x £/€5 Bet Builder, 1 x £/€5 Cheltenham Ante-Post & 4 x £/€5 Free Bets (selected sportsbook markets, valid 7 days, stake not returned). Restrictions and T&Cs apply.

Priced Up – 18+. New customers only. Place a minimum £40 bet on any selection with minimum odds of Evens (2.00) and receive a £20 free bet upon bet settlement. Free bet expires after 7 days. BeGambleAware.org. T&Cs apply.

As the stamp duty rise approaches, many first-time buyers are rushing to complete.

The Memphis man was 'relaxing/talking' in bed when the incident occurred

The red-hot favourite for the Champion Hurdle fell early on.

'I saw a ship or something in trouble.'